FBI Warns Police as Ferguson Grand Jury Decision Nears

The FBI is warning law enforcement agencies across the country that police officers and federal agents could be targeted by violent protesters in response to the coming grand jury decision in the Michael Brown shooting case in Ferguson, Missouri.

"The announcement of the grand jury's decision . . . will likely be exploited by some individuals to justify threats and attacks against law enforcement and critical infrastructure," the FBI said in a recent intelligence bulletin, according to ABC News.

"This also poses a threat to those civilians engaged in lawful or otherwise constitutionally protected activities," the FBI said.

The bureau warned that hackers could try to cause cyber-chaos as well.

Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson shot and killed Brown, 18, on Aug. 9 during a confrontation. Brown, who was black, was unarmed. Wilson said Brown attacked him and he had no choice but to use deadly force. Evidence has seemed to support that claim.

Still, protests — some of them violent — occurred in Ferguson in response to the incident. A grand jury is currently deciding whether to charge Wilson in Brown's death.

According to ABC News, the bulletin did say that police departments will have to walk a fine line between not stepping on protesters' First Amendment rights and enforcing the law. But the bureau stressed that violence occurring is a real possibility.

"The FBI assesses those infiltrating and exploiting otherwise legitimate public demonstrations with the intent to incite and engage in violence could be armed with bladed weapons or firearms, equipped with tactical gear/gas masks, or bulletproof vests to mitigate law enforcement measures," the FBI said, according to ABC News.

On Monday, conservative broadcaster and WAAR Media Group CEO Wayne Dupree told Newsmax that he thinks many of the protesters in Ferguson are non-residents with no interest in the fate of a community that needs to heal.

Gun sales have spiked and protest groups are planning their response to the grand jury decision, which is expected sometime this week.

A report last week concluded that the entire incident between Wilson and Brown lasted just 90 seconds.

The FBI is warning law enforcement agencies across the country that police officers and federal agents could be targeted by violent protesters in response to the coming grand jury decision in the Michael Brown shooting case in Ferguson, Missouri.